It's a Big Mistake to Not Know THis

The reason I had seller’s anxiety is simple enough.  I was afraid to answer one question.

The question came every time I talked with these companies you pay to help you publish.  The question: what’s your purpose with the book?

And my answer: I didn’t know. 

I didn’t have a purpose.  My only purpose was I said I was going to write a book and so I wrote a book.  But I didn’t know what I wanted with the book. 

Looking back I now know I wanted more.  It’s why I hired for a cover and for editing.  Otherwise I could have made the book a PDF and called it good.  But I wanted a book.  I wanted a product.  I wanted something tangible. 

I liked the image of the title “author” being applied to me. But I wanted to be an author without having to communicate I wanted to be an author.  I wanted the results without owning the process.  I wanted results without a purpose. 

Without a purpose, I played small. I shrugged my shoulders when others tried to be positive on the book.  I turned people away when they genuinely asked how the book was coming.  I played small and hid because I didn’t know what I was doing.  But more that now knowing what I was doing, I wasn’t clear on my purpose.

Not having a purpose for the book is the top reason why the kickstarter campaign failed and it’s also a mistake I hope to never repeat.

When in your life have you not known your purpose? Or when in your life have you known your purpose?  Let us know in the comments and you’ll be automatically entered in to win this week’s book giveaway.